Window cleaning device



Nov. 10, 1942. A. BIALY WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledNov. 12, 1940 INVEI R BY v 37% 4%, ATTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1942.

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' V INVENTOR 7 ATTORNEY S Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Application November 12, 1940, Serial No.365,251

(Cl. l28) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary cleaning devices and more particularlyto a power driven rotary window cleaning device adapted to be manuallyused.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a powerdriven window cleaning device which can be held in the hand of theoperator and readily manipulated to clean and polish both sides of awindow in a rapid and efficient manner, this device including a pair ofbrushes each of which is mounted on the end of a power driven shaft andone of these brushes being adapted to wash or clean the window and theother brush being adapted to buff or polish the window. Each of thebrushes is disposed in a lateral direction of the handle of the deviceand either brush can be put into its operable position by the operatormerely turning the device in his hand. To clean the outside of thewindow with this cleaning device the operator merely extends his armthrough the partially opened window and pushes or presses the cleaningbrush against the outside of the Window. The pressure against this brushactuates clutch means which operate to rotate the brush and if thispressure is removed, as when the brush is pulled out of contact with thewindow, the brush ceases to rotate. After this first cleaning step hasbeen completed, the operator merely turns the device around in his handand pushes the polishing brush against the window, this brush also beingrotated by clutch means actuated by the pressure on the brush. It willtherefore be seen that the outside of a window in a building can beefficiently cleaned and polished from the inside of the building in oneoperation without the operator continually withdrawing and extending hisarm through the open window in separate operations for the cleaning andpolishing steps and without requiring the operator to be physicallypresent on the outside of the building. As presently practiced, thecleaning the windows of buildings, especially the windows of high oilicebuildings, generally requires the window cleaner to be physicallypresent on the outside of the building which involves great hazard andrisk of injury and loss of life, all of which is eliminated by the useof the present invention since all operations involved in the cleaningand polishing of the outside of the window can be performed from theinside of the building.

A further object is to provide such a cleaning device which is low incost, light in weight, simple in construction and which will not get outof order under conditions of severe and constant use and wear.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription of the same, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the power driven cleaning device mbodyingmy invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, transverse section, takengenerally on line 2-2, Fig. 1 and showing the pump and its associatedparts for discharging a quantity of cleaning liquid.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal View,partially in section, taken generally on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 3, and showing the initialengagement of the clutch means which controls the rotation of one of thebrush shafts, this initial clutch engagement being effected by theinward dispacement of the brush shaft.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, transverse section, taken on line 55, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical, transverse section, taken on line 66, Fig. 4 andshowing the initial engagement of the clutch.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the driving engagement ofthe clutch with the flattened end of the corresponding brush shaft.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal, transverse section, taken on line8-8, Fig. 7.

In its general organization, the cleaning device comprises a handle uponthe top of which is transversely mounted a head. The handle houses apower unit which actuates a pair of rotary brushes arranged at theopposite ends ofthe head, each of these brushes being mounted on anindividual shaft adapted to be operatively connected to the power unit.Clutch means are interposed between each brush shaft and the power unitand operate to rotate each brush only when an inward pressure is exertedupon the brush shaft causing the same to be displaced slightly inwardlyof the head, such as when the brush is held or pressed against thewindow being cleaned. When the brush is not being used, the clutch meansoperate to disengage the brush shaft with the power unit and therebyprevent rotation of the brush.

The handle, indicated generally by the numeral 29, may be of anysuitable form but preferably includes a cylindrical base section 2|which houses the power unit 22. Any suitable power unit can be employedand as shown an electric motor is suitably mounted within the basesection 2|. The electric motor 22 is connected to a source of electricalenergy by a line 23 which preferably passes through an opening providedin the bottom of the handle 20, as best shown in Fig. 1. 'A manuallyoperable switch 24 is also preferably arranged adjacent the bottom ofthe handle and serves to turn the motor 22 on and off. The electricmotor 22 is provided with a motor or driving shaft 25 which extendsupwardly centrally of the handle 20.

An intermediate handle section 28 is arranged on top of the base section2! and constitutes an upward handle extension of the base section 2i.The outer wall of this section 28 preferably tapers outwardly from itsbottom 29 towards its upper end and this section is also internally andcentrally provided with an integral upstanding sleeve Ell whichpreferably ter- I minates at a point short of the upper end of the outerwall of the section 28. The upper end of the sleeve Ed is formed toprovide an internal annular shoulder 35. A bushing 32 is interposedbetween the motor shaft and the sleeve 39 adjacent its bottom portionand serves as a bearing for the motor shaft. The upper portion of theouter wall of the interme iate section 28 is formed to provide anupstanding, slightly contracted annular neck 33 thereby providing anexternal annular shoulder 3d. A cap or top 35 closely fits and issupported on the upper end of the neck 33 thereby providing a leak tightchamber within the intermediate section 28 which chamber is utilized fora reservoir for the cleaning liquid.

The cap 35 is provided with a central bore which receives a bushing 36which serves as an upper bearing for the motor shaft 25. The cap 35'isalso formed to provide av central depending annular neck 31 the lowerend of which is formed to provide a contracted annular extension 38 theend of the sleeve Sit and the end of the neck 37.

A casing head, indicated generally by the numeral id, is mounted on theupper end of the handle Zil, this head being of generally T-shaped formand including two laterally extending cylindrical branches or extensions4i, 4| and a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 42. The portion t2provides the upper handle section and the lower end portion of thissection is tted over the neck 33 and secured thereto in any suitablemanner, such as by being sweated thereon. The lower end of the upperhandle section t2 abuts against the shoulder 34 provided on theintermediate section 28.

To the cap 35 is secured in any suitable manr which is provided with abore adjacent its outer end. The extreme upper end of the motor shaft 25is journaled in this bore so as to provide a support for the end of theshaft. A worm. gear 53 is fast to the motor or driving shaft 25 andserves to drive a worm wheel 4'! which in turn is keyed to a pinion 53.The worm wheel 4'! and the pinion 58 are rotatably mounted on astationary horizontal stub shaft which is supported at one end by thebracket 4d and at its opposite end by a bracket or support 56. Thebracket Ed is also carried by the cap 35 and is secured to the same bythe cap screw 51.

The pinion &8 drives a gear which is fast to a driven shaft 56, theopposite end portions of the latter bein journaled in trunnion membersEl, 5]. Each trunnion member 51 comprises a hub 5-8, a web as and anouter annular rim 6B, the rim of each trunnion member being cut awayadjacent the corresponding bracket M or 58, as best shown in Fig. 3. Thetrunnion members 51, 51 are each held in'place within the casing head 45and secured to the sam'e'by cap screws 6!, 6E.

A bushing 62 is interposed between the hub 58 of each trunnion memberand the driven shaft 56 so as to provide suitable bearing surfaces forthis shaft. t will therefore be seen that the shaft 56 is continuouslydriven by the motor 25 through the worm 46, worm wheel 47, pinion 48 andgear 55.

Clutch means are provided which operate to rotate each cleaning means orbrush only When it is being used as, for example, when the brush is heldor pressed against a window and which render the brush inoperative whenit is not being used as, for example, when the brush is withdrawn orpulled away from the window. The clutch means controlling the operationof each of the brushes is identical and therefore a description of oneis deemed to apply to both. The outer end of each cylindrical branch 4|of the casing head M3 is internally threaded to receive the externallythreaded, inwardly extending, flange '55 of an end head 66. An outwardlyextending sleeve 5'! is centrally provided on the end head 66. A brushor other suitable cleaning means 63 is suitably mounted on the outer endof a brush or cleaner shaft 69 and a brush or other suitable cleaningmeans lilis also suitably mounted on the outer end of its correspondingbrush or cleaner shaft H, the latter shaft being identical with thebrush or cleaner shaft Be and hence a description of one shaft is deemedto apply to both shafts.

The inner end portion 12 of the brush shaft 69 is flattened or distortedto an out of round or noncircular shape and is of generally oblong form.Adjacent this oblong end portion 72, the brush shaft is formed toprovide a conical enlargement 73. An elongated bearing sleeve 14 isinterposed between the sleeve 6! and the brush shaft 59 and in order toprevent inward longitudinal movement of the sleeve 14 relative to thesurrounding sleeve 6? a collar ?5 is secured to the outer end of thesleeve M by a set screw 76. The collar l5 abuts against the outer'end ofthe sleeve 67. The inner end of the sleeve "M is formed to provide anenlarged annular supporting head H, a washer 18 being preferablyinterposed between the outer face of the supporting head and the innerface of the end head The inner end of the bore of the supporting head iiis enlarged, as indicated at I9, to accommodate the conical enlargementI3 on the brush shaft.

Each of a pair of flat, generally segmental shaped, backing plates to,8B is pivotally mounted on the supporting head 77. For this purpose eachplate 8i. is provided at one corner with an ear 8i having a boretherein. A pivot'screw 82 pivotally secures the plate 89 to thesupporting head TI and for this purpose preferably includes an annularbearing portion 83 received by the bore of the ear 3!, as bestshown inFig. 8. The pair of backing plates 8% is arranged in reversed andopposed relationship to each other. A clutch jaw 85 also of generallysegmental form is mounted on each backing plate 86 preferably by means,of a pair of rivets 85, 85. The clutch jaws 8 1, 84 can be made of anysuitable material, such as fiber or the lil e. The outer peripheries ofthe clutch jaws are normally maintained in concentric relation, as bestshown-in Fig.5, by a C- shaped wire spring 8%, the opposite ends 81, 81

of which are bent and secured to the clutch jaws.

A clutch drum Git is secured to each end of the shaft 56 in any suitablemanner, this clutch drum comprising a hub 9!, an annular web 92 and anannular flange 93, the inner face of this flange providing a clutchsurface frictionally cngageable by the peripheral portions of the clutchjaws B4, 8

It will therefore be seen that when the brush shaft 52 is movedlongitudinally inwardly of the casing head at, as illustrated in Fig. 4,the conical enlargement l3 on the brush shaft will cause the backingplates 89, with their clutch jaws 84, 84 to separate from each other andexpand the effective periphery of the frictional engaging surfaces ofthe jaws, the jaws each being swung about its corresponding pivot screw82. Since the clutch drum 96 is being continuously rotated by theelectric motor 22, it will be seen that the internal peripheral face ofthe flange 93 will frictionally engage the clutch jaws 84, as therebycausing these jaws, the supporting head 11 together with its integralsleeve M and the collar 15 fixed to this sleeve to rotate. This initialengagement of the clutch jaws 84, 84 with the clutch drum S is bestillustrated in Fig. 6. As there shown the clutch jaws have not beenrotated as yet. As the clutch jaws continue to rotate the opposingstraight edges of these jaws will engage the oblong end portion 12 ofthe brush shaft 69 at substantially diagonally opposite points, as shownin Fig. '7, and thereby rotate the brush shaft 65. The brush shaft willresist rotation by reason of the fact that the brush on its outer end isbeing held against a window, the friction between the window and thebristles of the brush tending to resist the rotation of the brush. Theeffect of this resistance to rotation is advantageously utilized by thecam action of the oblong end portion 12 on the clutch jaws 84, 84 whichaction tends to urge the jaws to a more expanded condition. Thistendency of the clutch jaws for further expansion causes the jaws toexert an increased pressure on the flange 93 of the brake drum andinsures a greater frictional engagement between the same. When the brushis withdrawn from the window the increased pressure producing cam actionof the oblong end portion 12 on the clutch jaws 84, 84 ceases becausethere is no frictional resistance to the rotation of the brush and thespring 85 will return the jaws to their inoperative position shown inFig. 5.

For the purpose ofdischarging or squirting a quantity of any suitablecleaning liquid on the window to be distributed by the cleaning brush63.

As shown in Fig. 2 a chamber E8 is provided within the intermediatehandle section 28 which contains a body 99 of cleaning liquid which canbe replenished through the plug opening provided in the side wall, athreaded plug Illll closing this opening. The cleaning liquid iswithdrawn from the supply reservoir or tank 28 by a pipe llll whichconnects with the inlet of a pump of any suitable construction mountedon the handle and the liquid is squirted onto the surface to be cleanedby a nozzle l0! projecting laterally from the central part of the casinghead and connected with the outlet of said pump. Control of this pumpmay be effected manually by a lever pivoted on the handle by pins I I2and having a lower arm H0 adapted to be engaged by the hand of theoperator and an upper arm Ill operatively connected with a part of thepump for controlling its operation.

Cleaning fluid is sprayed on the window through nozzle fill, as shown inFig. 1. This nozzle may be supplied with said fluid by a pump of anytype desired.

After the operator has employed the pump to discharge a quantity ofcleaning li: window, he can simply turn the cleaning device through 99degrees in either direction and thereby use either of the brushes S8 and"iii. i-iowever, it is preferred that one brush, such as the brush E8,be used for cleaning the window and the other brush It be used as apolishing brush.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides apower driven window cleaning device which is easily handled by theoperator and manipulable by him to rapidly and efficiently clean andpolish windows entirely from the inside of the building.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cleaning device, comprising a handle, a power unit having a drivingshaft arranged in said handle, a casing head mounted on said handle, adriven shaft journaled in said casing head, means operatively connectingsaid driving shaft with said driven shaft, a cleaner shaft journaled insaid casing head and extending exteriorly thereof and arranged coaxiallywith said driven shaft, cleaning means mounted on the outer end of saidcleaner shaft, and clutch means arranged in said casing head and betweensaid driven shaft and said cleaner shaft, comprising a clutch drummounted on said driven shaft, a supporting head rotatably mounted onsaid cleaner shaft, a pair of clutch jaws pivotally mounted on saidsupporting head and arranged in coplanar spaced relation to each other,means for rotatably connecting said jaws with said cleaner shaft andmeans on said cleaner shaft adapted to rotate said jaws about theircorresponding pivots into frictional engagement with said drum by thelongitudinal displacement of said cleaner shaft inwardly of said casinghead thereby to rotate said cleaner shaft.

2. A cleaning device, comprising a handle, a power unit having a drivingshaft arranged in said handle, a casing head mounted on said handle, adriven shaft journaled in said casing head, means operatively connectingsaid driving shaft with said driven shaft, a cleaner shaft journaled insaid casing head and extending exteriorly thereof and arranged coaxiallywith said driven shaft, cleaning means mounted on the outer end of saidcleaner shaft, and clutch means arranged in said casing head and betweensaid driven shaft and said cleaner shaft, comprising a clutch drummounted on said driven shaft, a supporting head rotatably mounted onsaid cleaner shaft, a pair of backing plates arranged in coplanar spacedrelation to each other and each of which is pivotally mounted on saidsupporting head, clutch jaws secured respectively to said backing platesand rotatable bodily about the axis of said cleaner shaft, spring meansfor urging said jaws toward each other, a conical enlargement on saidcleaner shaft adapted by the longitudinal movement of said cleaner shaftto rotate said jaws about their corresponding pivots into frictionalengagement with said drum and a noncircular member provided on the innerend of said cleaner shaft and arranged between said jaws in such mannerthat said jaws engage said member to rotate said cleaner shaft upon therotation of said jaws about the axis of said cleaner shaft.

ANDREW BIALY.

